Law enforcement considers the use of tolls after Ontario drivers continue to misuse the HOV lanes. While the drivers ask if carpool lanes are even necessary.
Both Ontario drivers and law enforcement have been frustrated with the improper usage of carpool lanes in recent years due to many drivers breaking the law with no consequences.
Const. Kenneth Evans of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said, “We’re aware of the illegal use of the HOV lanes and how it is unfair to law-abiding drivers, unfortunately, the lanes are difficult to monitor due to many factors.”
High-speed roads are difficult to monitor on their own but when adding elements such as window tints and shades, children in car seats and seats that are reclined it becomes challenging for the naked eye to decipher the HOV-eligible drivers.
The list of HOV eligibility extends beyond vehicles with more than one occupant, vehicles such as buses, motorcycles and licenced taxis are all eligible. Vehicles with Ontario green licence plates are also permitted to use the carpool lane.
Even if the HOV laws could be effectively enforced, HOV lane misuse coincides with the lack of fear drivers have towards the consequences involved.
If a driver is caught using the HOV lane improperly, they could face a fine of $110 and 3 demerit points, according to the Government of Ontario Website.
“I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been running late to school and switched into the carpool lane to save a few minutes.” said Tyler Fereira, a student at Humber College and single-occupant driver.
Fereira’s actions represent those of many single-occupant drivers who know that the misuse of the HOV lane carries a small fine, but aren’t intimidated due to the lack of enforcement.
“They never watch the carpool lanes and even if they did, everyone I know uses the Waze app to see if there’s police ahead, so they don’t get caught.” said Fereira.
Through the use of the Waze application, drivers can report police sightings to other Waze users, allowing ineligible drivers to exit the HOV lanes if they see a Police presence on the road ahead.
Const. Evans said, “The OPP has been working on implementing a vehicle recognition system along entry and exit checkpoints of the HOV lanes to assist with the enforcement remotely.”
A vehicle recognition system is a method used by the 407 Express Toll Route (407 ETR) with continuous success.
Anthony Arena, a former Research and Development Developer at 407 ETR said, “The 407 cameras are set up at every entrance and exit of the highway and take pictures of its users’ rear licence plate and will charge them based on the distance of their trip unless they have a transponder.”
The usage of the system is effective for the 407 ETR as it requires only to capture pictures of objects visible from the exterior of the vehicle.
“Trying to use a system like this to monitor things going on inside the car is too complicated, at least for the system the 407 uses, they would have to use a way more advanced system which to my knowledge doesn’t exist yet.” said Arena.
Const. Evans could not give further information on the proposed system as more time is needed before its implementation.
Single-occupant drivers who follow the laws surrounding the HOV lanes are calling the carpool lane unfair as drivers that break the law by misusing the HOV lane put law-abiding drivers at a disadvantage.
Lee-Anne Davis, a Burlington resident that commutes to Toronto for work said, “It’s unfair that just because I won’t break the law, my drive takes longer than someone who abuses the HOV lane.”
Single-occupant drivers are also questioning if the carpool lane actually improves the flow of traffic or simply benefits those who are eligible.
Davis said, “HOV lanes are, in a way, discriminating towards single occupant drivers who live alone and don’t have families, and now that they’ve allowed electric cars and bikes as well, that’s just discriminating against those who can’t afford them.”
The newly eligible vehicle owners believe that they deserve the benefits of a quieter lane.
Scott Laidman, a Motorcycle Technician at Sturgess Cycle said, “It makes sense, we’re much smaller vehicles, we use less gas, and the point of the lane is to reward people that pollute less, also having a less populated lane obviously makes it a lot safer for us.”
The HOV lane’s misuse and updated eligibility have highlighted the downsides of giving extra privileges to specific demographics.
Regardless, the HOV lane is here to stay and law enforcement is pushing to improve its functionality through a stronger enforcement system in the near future.
